Hi, my name is Monika Maharjan, and I am fundraising for Priyansi’s cochlear implant surgery. Priyansi Shakya (Piyu) is a very adorable and cutest baby. Piyu is my best friends, Nima Sthapit and Pratik Shakya’s daughter. They live in Lalitpur, Nepal and struggling to meet medical expenses for Piyu’s cochlear implant surgery.

Piyu was born on May 23, 2019. She was born with Trisomy 22 (C22 Emanuel syndrome). Piyu had several medical problems that include a) profound hearing impairment, b) heart defects, Atrial septal defect (ASD) – a hole in the septum, c) cleft palate – opening in the roof of the mouth, d) significant feeding difficulties and e) developmental delays. Piyu had been through two major surgeries over the past years. She had open-heart surgery to repair an ASD in April 2022. In February 2023, she went through a second surgery to repair a cleft palate.

Piyu is completely hearing impaired. Children learn to speak, read, and write through listening. Complete hearing loss prevented Piyu from these areas of development. A surgically implanted hearing device called a cochlear implant will help Piyu receive, process, and interpret sounds. Research has shown that the earlier the cochlear implant is placed, the better the chance that the child will benefit from it. She is now preparing for the next surgery for cochlear implant. In Nepal, neither medical care is free, nor government health insurance is provided. Medical costs including surgery fee, hospital fee and medications should be borne by patient and family. Cochlear implant is imported from India; thus, cochlear implant surgery is extremely costly in Nepal. The estimated cost for basic cochlear implantation is NRs. 30 lakhs (USD 25,000).

Nima and Pratik have already spent a significant amount of money to cover the medical expenses of two surgeries and regular therapy sessions for Piyu’s developmental delays. They now have a remaining saving amount NRs. 10 lakhs (USD 8,000) and I am raising funds to meet the cost required for Piyu’s cochlear implant surgery. Any amount you are willing to contribute is so greatly appreciated. A small donation will help Piyu hear and listen to sounds and she will be able to speak, read and write.

All funds collected will be transferred to Nima’s bank account in Nepal from my account.